Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Waihoura, the Maori Girl, by W.H.G. Kingston.
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WAIHOURA, THE MAORI GIRL, BY W.H.G. KINGSTON.
CHAPTER ONE.
THE NEW COLONY.
ARRIVAL OF THE FAMILIES OF MR PEMBERTON, FARMER GREENING AND OTHERS, IN
NEW ZEALAND.--INSPECT LAND.--ENCAMP NEAR THE PORT TILL THEY CAN SETTLE
ON THE LAND THEY HAVE SELECTED.
A fine emigrant ship, her voyage happily terminated, had just entered
her destined port in the northern island of New Zealand. Her anchor was
dropped, the crew were aloft furling sails, and several boats were
alongside ready to convey the passengers to the shore. All was bustle
and excitement on board, each person anxious to secure his own
property,--and people were running backwards and forwards into the
cabins, to bring away any minor articles which might have been
forgotten.
The water was calm and bright, the sky intensely blue. On either hand
were bold picturesque headlands running out into the sea, fringed by
dark rocks, while beyond the sandy beach, which bordered the bay, on a
partially cleared space, were seen numerous cottages, interspersed with
tents and huts, many of the latter rudely constructed of boughs.
Further off arose forests of tall trees, reaching to the base, and
climbing the sides of a range of high mountains, here and there broken
by deep ravines, with sparkling streams rushing down them, finding their
way into a broad river which flowed into the bay. Beyond the first
range appeared others--range beyond range, the summits of several
towering to the sky, covered with mantles of snow shining with dazzling
whiteness in the bright rays of the sun. In several places the forest
gave way to wide open tracts, clothed with fern or tall waving grass.
"Here we are safe at last," exclaimed Valentine Pemberton, a young
gentleman about eighteen, as he stepped from one of the first boats on
to the ledge of rocks which formed the chief landing-place of the
settlement.
"Father, let me help you," he added, extending his arm towards a
middle-aged fine-looking man who followed him.
"Now, Lucy, take my hand; the rocks are somewhat slippery. Harry, you
can look out for yourself." He addressed his young sister, a fair
sweet-looking girl of about fifteen, and his brother, a fine active boy,
who sprang on to the rock after him.
"Take care of Betsy, though," said Lucy, not forgetful of her faithful
maid, whose attachment to her young mistress had induced to leave home
for a strange land.
"Paul Greening is helping her," answered Harry.
Mr Pemberton, with his daughter and two sons, soon made their way to
the more even beach, followed by Betsy and Paul Greening. Paul's
father, farmer Greening, a sturdy English yeoman, with his wife and two
younger sons, James and little Tobias, as the latter was called, though
as big as his brothers, were the next to land.
"My boys and I will look after your things, Mr Pemberton," shouted the
farmer. "Do you go and find lodgings for Miss Lucy and Betsy."
"Thank you, my friend," said Mr Pemberton, "but we have made up our
mind to rough it, and purpose camping out under tents until we can get a
roof of our own over our heads. Before we begin work, however, I wish
to return thanks to Him who has guided and protected us during our
voyage across the ocean. Will you and your family join us?"
"Aye, gladly sir," answered farmer Greening. "We are ready enough to be
angry with those who are thankless to us when we have done them a
kindness, and I have often thought how ungrateful we are apt to be to
Him who gives us everything we enjoy in this life."
Mr Pemberton led the way to a sheltered spot, where they were concealed
by some high rocks from the busy throng on the beach. He there, with
his own children and the farmer's family, knelt down and offered a
hearty thanksgiving to the merciful God who had heretofore been their
friend and guide, and a fervent prayer for protection from future
dangers. Then, with cheerful hearts and strong hands, they returned to
the boat, to assist in landing their goods and chattels, while Valentine
and Paul went back to the ship to bring off the remainder of the
luggage.
Mr Pemberton and farmer Greening, meantime, set off to get the
surveying officer to point out a plot of ground on which they might
encamp, the rest of the party remaining on the beach to look after their
property.
While they were thus employed, a bustling little man, in a green
velveteen shooting coat, approached Lucy, who, with Betsy and Mrs
Greening were removing the lighter articles of their baggage.
Underneath a broad-brimmed hat, which he wore far back on his
bullet-like head, covered with short cropped hair, appeared a pair of
round eyes, and a funny turned up nose.
"Oh, Miss Pemberton, I am shocked to see you so employed!" he exclaimed.
"Let me assist you. My own things will not be brought on shore to-day,
I am told, and I have no wish to go on board the ship again to look for
them."
"Thank you, Mr Nicholas Spears," said Lucy, who had already discovered
that the little man was never happy unless attending other people's
concerns, to the neglect of his own, and had no wish to encourage him in
his bad habit. "My brother Harry and our friends here can do all that
is necessary."
"Oh, I beg ten thousand pardons, Miss Lucy, but I thought that I could
be of use to you. It would be such a pleasure, believe me."
Mr Nicholas Spears rolled his round eyes about, and twitched his mouth
in such a curious manner when he spoke, that Lucy could scarcely refrain
from laughing outright.
"If you don't look after your own property, Mr Spears, I don't think
anybody else will," observed Mrs Greening. "Just let me advise you to
go back in the first boat, and see if any of your goods have been got
out of the hold, or they may be sent on shore, and you will not know
what have become of them."
The little man seemed very unwilling to follow this wise counsel, but
hearing his name called by some of the other emigrants, he hurried away
to join them, and was seen running up and down the beach, carrying their
boxes and parcels.
Most of the other passengers had now come on shore, and were busily
employed in looking after their property, and conveying it from the
beach.
Valentine and Paul had just returned with the remainder of their goods,
and soon afterwards Mr Pemberton and farmer Greening returned,
accompanied by four dark-skinned men, dressed in shirts and trousers,
the few tattoo marks on their faces, and the shaggy state of their black
hair, showing them to be of the lower order of natives. They brought
also a small dray, drawn by bullocks, with which to transport the
heavier articles of their luggage.
"Wherever you go, Mr Pemberton, with your leave, I and mine will go
too," said farmer Greening, as they walked along. "We have been
neighbours in the old country, and you have ever been a kind friend to
me, and if I can be of any use to you in choosing land, which I ought to
know something about, why, you see, sir, it's just what I shall be glad
to do."
Mr Pemberton knew the value of the farmer's friendship and assistance
too well to decline it, and thanked him heartily.
He had himself gone through many trials. After enjoying a good fortune
derived from West Indian property, and living the life of a country
gentleman, he found himself, at the time he was about to send his eldest
son to the university, and his second boy into the navy, deprived of
nearly the whole of his income. Soon afterwards he lost his wife, a far
greater blow to his happiness, and believing that he could best provide
for his children by emigrating to one of the colonies, with the small
remainder of his fortune, he had embarked with them for New Zealand.
A cleared space on some rising ground overlooking the harbour had been
selected for encamping. To this the property of the party was soon
conveyed.
Mr Pemberton had brought with him two tents, the largest of which
served as a store-house for his goods, and there was also space in it
for beds for himself and his sons, while a much smaller one was
appropriated to the use of Lucy and Betsy, which Lucy had invited Mrs
Greening to share with them. The farmer and his sons, with the
assistance of the Maoris, as the New Zealanders are called, were putting
up a hut in which they might find shelter till the land they had
purchased had been fixed on. It was composed simply of stakes driven
into the ground, interwoven with branches of trees, beams being secured
to the top, while other branches were placed on them and thatched with
long grass, an operation quickly performed by the Maoris. Before dark
it was in a sufficiently forward state to afford shelter to the farmer
and his sons,--some heaps of fern, brought in by their active
assistants, serving them for beds. While the pakehas, the strangers, as
the natives call the English, slept at one end, the four Maoris occupied
the other.
Before they lay down to rest Mr Pemberton invited them into his tent to
join in family worship, a practice he had kept up during the voyage, and
hoped in future to maintain under all circumstances.
"It's a great blessing and advantage, Miss Lucy, to be associated with a
gentleman like the Squire," said Mrs Greening, when they returned to
their tent. "My boys especially might be inclined to run wild in this
strange country, if they hadn't the good example he sets before them."
"We, I am sure, shall be a mutual help to each other, Mrs Greening,"
answered Lucy. "Your husband's practical experience in farming will
greatly assist my father and brothers, and I was truly thankful when I
heard that you wished to settle near us."
"We know what it is to have bad land, with a high rent to pay," observed
Mrs Greening with a sigh, "and I hope, now that we are to have a farm
of our own, with a kind soil, we shall get on better than we did in the
old country. Few are ready to work harder than my good man and our
boys, and I have never been used to be idle since I was big enough to
milk a cow."
The following day Mr Pemberton and the farmer, accompanied by Valentine
and Paul, prepared to set off, with one of the Maoris as a guide, to
inspect a block of land lately surveyed, about ten miles from the coast,
with a fine stream flowing through it.
Before starting they surveyed from the hill the road they were to take.
At a short distance appeared the outskirts of the forests, composed of
the lofty kauri, or yellow pine, kahikatea, or white pine, the rimu,
with its delicate and gently weeping foliage, and several others,
interspersed by the shade-loving tree-fern, the most graceful of all
forest trees. From the boughs hung parasites and creepers of brilliant
hues,--some, like loose ropes from the rigging of a ship, others, in
festoons winding from stem to stem, uniting far-off trees with their
luxuriant growth.
"How shall you be able to pass through that thick forest?" asked Lucy,
of her father.
"We shall have to make good use of our axes, I suppose," said Valentine.
"We shall find but little difficulty," observed Mr Pemberton.
"Although the foliage is so dense overhead, there is no jungle or
underwood to obstruct our passage, and in this hot weather we shall have
the advantage of travelling thoroughly shaded from the rays of the sun.
We shall find it far more fatiguing walking over the fern land, which,
at a distance, looks so smooth and even."
Mr Pemberton took his fowling-piece; but the only weapons carried by
the rest of the party were their axes, to mark the trees round the land
they hoped to select. They expected not to be absent more than three
days.
Lucy and Harry accompanied them a short distance. They found, on their
return, Mrs Greening busily employed with her sons in arranging the
hut,--indeed, the good woman was never idle, and set an example of
industry which some of the other settlers would have done wisely to
follow. Leaving her boys to go on with the work, she commenced making
preparations for dinner.
"You must let me act as your cook, Miss Lucy," she said. "You and Betsy
will have enough to do, and it's what I am used to."
The cooking, however, was of necessity somewhat after the gipsy fashion,
a pot being hung from a triangle over a fire on the ground, and when the
pot was removed the tea-kettle took its place.
They had no difficulty in procuring provisions, as there were several
bakers in the village, and the Maoris brought in pigs and wild-fowl, and
various roots and vegetables to the market.
CHAPTER TWO.
WAIHOURA.
NATIVES ARRIVE AT MR PEMBERTON'S CAMP.--THEY BRING WITH THEM ON A
LITTER A YOUNG GIRL--WAIHOURA APPARENTLY VERY ILL.--A DOCTOR IS SENT
FOR, AND A HUT IS BUILT FOR HER ACCOMMODATION.
"Oh mother! mother! Miss Lucy! Betsy! do look at the strange savages
who are coming this way," exclaimed little Tobias, as he rushed up to
the door of the tent the following morning. "I never did see such wild
creatures, except once at the fair, and they were white men painted up
to make believe they had come from foreign parts. There's no doubt
about these, though."
Lucy and her companions being thus summoned, hurried from the tent and
joined Harry and the two young Greenings, who were standing on the brow
of the hill, watching a band of twenty or thirty Maoris, who, emerging
from the forest, were coming towards where they stood. At their head
stalked a tall savage-looking warrior. His face, as he drew near, was
seen to be thickly covered with blue lines, some in spirals, others in
circles and curls of various devices. His black hair was gathered in a
knot at the top of his head, and secured with a polished bone, while
several large rings hung from his ears. Over his shoulders was thrown a
large mat cloak, which almost completely enveloped his form. In one
hand he carried a musket, more on the present occasion to add to his
dignity than for use, as swords were formerly worn by gentlemen in
Europe. His companions had their faces tattooed, though in a much less
degree than was that of their leader. Some wore merely long kilts round
their waists, but many had cloaks of matting. The hair of most of them
was cut short, looking like a black mop at the top of their heads.
Savages though they looked, they walked with a dignity and freedom that
showed they felt their own consequence and independence. They were
followed by several women, also clothed in mats, though of a finer
texture than those of the men. Their hair hung loosely over their
shoulders, and several wore a wreath of flowers or shells, which
assisted to keep it off their eyes. Their faces were but slightly
tattooed, the chin, and lips only being marked, giving the latter a
curious blue look, which Lucy thought detracted much from their
otherwise comely appearance. They were walking on either side of a
small litter, covered with boughs, and carried by four young men.
The party of natives advanced as if about to ascend the hill; but when
the chief saw that it was occupied by the tents, he ordered them to halt
at its base, and they immediately began to make preparations for
encamping, while the young men were sent off towards the woods to
collect fuel for the fires and materials for building huts. The litter
having been placed on the ground, the women gathered round it, as if
much interested in whatever it contained. The chief himself then
approached, and the boughs being partially removed, Lucy perceived that
its occupant was a young girl. The chief seemed to be speaking to her
with tender interest. At length, on seeing Lucy and her companions
watching him, he advanced towards them.
"Oh! Miss Lucy, let's run away--the savage is coming, and I don't know
what he will do," cried Betsy, in great alarm.
"I am sure he will not hurt us, from the gentle way he was speaking to
the young girl," said Lucy, holding her ground, though she felt a little
nervous.
"He looks terribly fierce, though," observed Mrs Greening. "But it
won't do to run away, as if we were afraid."
The chief, whose eye had been fixed on Lucy, now approached her, and
pointing to the litter, seemed to invite her to come down and speak to
his daughter, for such she felt the girl must be. "Oh miss, don't go,"
cried Betsy. "You don't know what they will do;" but Lucy, struck by
the appearance of the occupant of the litter, was eager to learn more
about her, and overcoming any fears she might have felt, at once
accompanied the chief.
The women made way for her as she got close to the litter. On it
reclined, propped up by matting, which served as a pillow, a girl
apparently of about her own age. Her complexion was much fairer than
that of any of her companions, scarcely darker, indeed, than a Spanish
or Italian brunette. No tattoo marks disfigured her lips or chin; her
features were regular and well-formed, and her eyes large and clear,
though at present their expression betokened that she was suffering
pain. She put out her hand towards Lucy, who instinctively gave her
her's.
"Maori girl ill, berry ill," she said. "Tell pakeha doctor come, or
Waihoura die--pakeha doctor make Waihoura well." Although the words may
not have been so clearly pronounced as they have been written, Lucy at
once understood their meaning.
"Oh yes, I will send for a doctor," she answered, hoping that Dr
Fraser, the surgeon who came out with them in the ship, would be found
on shore. She beckoned to Harry, and told him to run and bring Dr
Fraser without delay. The chief comprehended her intentions, and seemed
well pleased when Harry and Tobias, who also offered to go, set off
towards the village.
As no one addressed her, Lucy guessed rightly that the Maori girl was
the only person of her party who could speak English, and curious to
know how she had learned it, she asked the question. "Waihoura learn
speak pakeha tongue of missionary," she answered, "but near forget now,"
and she put her hand to her brow, as if it ached.
"The doctor will come soon, I hope, and give you medicine to make you
better," said Lucy, taking the young girl's hand, which felt hot and
feverish. Waihoura shook her head, and an expression of pain passed
across her countenance. "We will pray to God, then, to make you well,"
said Lucy. "He can do everything, so be not cast down, but trust Him."
The Maori girl fixed her large eyes on her as she was speaking,
evidently trying to understand her meaning, though apparently she did
not entirely comprehend it.
Savage in appearance as were the people who surrounded her, Lucy did not
feel afraid of them, while they evidently regarded her with much
respect. Betsy having at length gained courage, came down the hill with
Mrs Greening.
"Poor dear," said the farmer's wife, when she saw the Maori girl. "What
she wants is good food, a comfortable bed, and a little careful nursing.
If we had our house up, I'll be bound we would bring her round in the
course of a few weeks, so that that painted-faced gentleman, her father,
would not know her again."
"We would make room for her in our tent," said Lucy. "Or, perhaps, her
friends would build a hut for her close to it; they probably would soon
put one up, and it would be far better for her to remain with us than to
return to her home." The chief had been watching them while they were
speaking, and seemed to understand that they were discussing some plan
for his daughter's benefit. He spoke a few words to her.
"What say?" she asked, looking at Lucy, and then pointing to her father.
"We wish you to stop here and let us nurse you," said Lucy, trying still
further to explain her meaning by signs. The young girl's countenance
brightened, showing that she understood what Lucy had said, and wished
to accept her offer. Perhaps the remembrance of her stay with the
Missionary's family brought some pleasing recollections to her mind.
While they were still speaking, a person was seen hurrying along the
somewhat dusty road which led from the village, and Lucy soon recognised
Mr Nicholas Spears.
"Has not he come yet?" he exclaimed, as he drew near. "Dr Fraser, I
mean. I met Master Harry, and that big lout Tobias. I beg your pardon,
Mrs Greening. I did not see you were there, and so I told them I would
find him and send him on; so I did, for I understood from them that a
princess, or some great person, wanted his services. If he has not come
I must go back and hurry him. Is that the princess? She don't look
much like one, however, she may be a princess for all that. Your
servant, Miss, and that old gentleman, with the curious marks on his
face, is her father, I suppose? Your servant, sir," he added, making
the chief a bow with his broad-brimmed hat.
The chief bent his head in acknowledgment, and seemed somewhat inclined
to rub noses with the little man as a further sign of his good-will; but
Mr Spears sprang back in alarm, evidently thinking it safer to keep at
a distance from the savage-looking warrior; observing, however, the
confidence shown by Lucy and her companions, he walked round them once
or twice, gazing at them as if they had been wild beasts at a show. As
he passed again near Lucy, she reminded him of his promise to look for
Dr Fraser, and much to her satisfaction, off he set at full speed.
In a short time the doctor was seen coming along the road, followed by
Harry and Tobias.
"Oh, Dr Fraser, I am so glad you are come," said Lucy. "Here is a
sweet interesting Maori girl, and she is very ill, I fear. Can you do
anything for her?"
"I am afraid, Miss Lucy, unless she can speak English, or we have an
efficient interpreter, there may be some difficulty in ascertaining her
disease, but I will do my best."
"Oh, she understands a little English," said Lucy, "and seems very
intelligent."
The doctor approached the litter, and stooping down, remained some time
by the girl's side, asking her questions, and endeavouring to comprehend
her answers.
"Unless I can have her for some time as my patient, I fear, Miss
Pemberton, that I cannot do much for her," he said at length. "My
lodgings are very small, and I suspect that among the settlers there are
none who would be willing to receive her." Lucy then told him of the
plan she and Mrs Greening had proposed. "That would certainly afford
the best prospect of her recovery," he answered. "If we can explain
that to her friends, perhaps they would be willing to allow her to
remain."
Lucy was very glad to hear this, for she already felt a deep interest in
the young Maori girl.
"There is her father," said Lucy, pointing to the chief, "perhaps you
can make him understand what we propose."
"I will try," said Dr Fraser, "but, if not, I must get Mr Clifton, the
surveyor, who speaks their language, to explain it to him."
The chief, who had been looking on all the time with an expression of
anxiety visible on his stern countenance, now drew near, and with the
assistance of his daughter, was made to comprehend what their new
friends proposed. He stopped some time, apparently considering the
matter, and then having consulted with several of his companions, he
returned, and taking Lucy's hand, placed it in that of Waihoura, as if
confiding her to her care.
"But we must make them understand that they must build her a comfortable
house," said Lucy. This the doctor managed to do without much
difficulty, and leading the chief up the hill, showed the position in
which he wished it to be placed.
The natives, who appeared to render implicit obedience to their chief,
immediately went off to cut timber. The doctor, meantime, marked the
dimensions of the building, and showed the height he desired to have it,
which was nearly three times that of the ordinary native huts.
"We must have a proper door and a couple of windows, too," he remarked.
"The poor girl requires fresh air more than anything else, probably she
has been shut up in the smoke and heat of a native hut, and unless we
have one of a very different character, she will have little chance of
recovery."
Idle and averse to work, as Lucy heard that the Maoris were, she was
pleased to see the rapid way in which they erected the hut. While some
dug the holes for the posts, and others cut them down, a third party
brought them up the hill. They were evidently surprised at the size of
the building, and uttered numerous exclamations of astonishment when the
doctor made them understand that it must be in no respect smaller than
he proposed. Harry, with James and Tobias, got their spades and
levelled the ground for the floor, rendering considerable assistance
also in digging the holes.
Among the articles Mr Pemberton had brought were several doors and
window sashes, intended for his own cottage. Lucy suggested that these
should be unpacked, and a door and two windows be used for the hut.
"I am sure that my father will not object," she said, "and it will make
the house much more comfortable."
"I wish that all our countrymen had as much consideration for the
natives as you show, Miss Lucy," observed the doctor, "and I feel sure
Mr Pemberton will approve of what you propose doing." The door and two
windows were accordingly fixed, the Maoris showing themselves very
expert carpenters.
The doctor having seen that the plan he proposed for the house was
likely to be properly carried out, returned to the town to get some
medicine, while Mrs Greening arranged a comfortable English bed, in
which his patient might be placed.
Before nightfall the hut was completely finished. Mrs Greening removed
her own bedding to it, that, as she said, she could be at hand to attend
to the young native girl; and Dr Fraser having given her some medicine,
took his departure, promising to come back, early the next morning.
The chief showed by his manner the perfect confidence he placed in his
new friends, and leaving his daughter in their charge, he and his
companions retired to the foot of the hill, where they spent the night
round their camp fire.
Lucy sat for some time by the side of Waihoura, who showed no
inclination to go to sleep; she evidently was astonished at finding
herself in an English bed, and watched over by a fair pakeha girl
instead of her own dark-skinned people. She talked on for some time,
till at length her words grew more and more indistinct, and closing her
eyes, to Lucy's satisfaction, she fell asleep.
"Now, do you go back to your tent," said Mrs Greening. "I'll look
after the little girl, and if I hear any noise I'll be up in a moment
and call you or Betsy; but don't be fancying you will be wanted, the
little girl will do well enough, depend on that."
Lucy very unwillingly retired to her tent, and was much surprised when
she awoke to find that it was already daylight.
CHAPTER THREE.
IN CAMP.
DR FRASER ARRIVES WITH MR MARLOW, A MISSIONARY, WHO RECOGNISES
WAIHOURA.--HE PERSUADES HER FATHER TO ALLOW HER TO REMAIN.--RETURN OF
MR PEMBERTON, WHO HAS SELECTED HIS LAND, AND BEGINS TO SETTLE ON IT.--
THE FARM DESCRIBED.--HE LEAVES THEM AGAIN FOR IT ACCOMPANIED BY MR
SPEARS.--WAIHOURA RECOVERS AND LEARNS ENGLISH, WHILE LUCY LEARNS
MAORI.--A VESSEL ARRIVES WITH SHEEP, SOME OF WHICH THE DOCTOR BUYS, AND
ARE LOOKED AFTER BY TOBY.--LUCY TRIES TO EXPLAIN THE GOSPEL TO WAIHOURA.
"I am not quite happy about her, Miss Lucy," said Mrs Greening, when
Lucy, as soon as she was dressed, went into the hut. "If she was an
English girl I should know what to do, but these natives have odd ways,
which puzzle me."
The young Maori girl lay as she had been placed on the bed, with her
eyes open, but without moving or speaking. There was a strange wild
look in her countenance, so Lucy thought, which perplexed her.
"I wish the doctor were here," she said; "if he does not come soon, we
will send Harry to look for him."
"Little Tobias shall go at once, Miss," answered Mrs Greening. "The
run will do him no harm, even if he misses the doctor."
Tobias was called, and taking his stick in hand, the young giant set off
at a round trot down the hill.
Lucy sat watching the sick girl, while Mrs Greening and Betsy made
preparations for breakfast. Every now and then she cast an anxious
glance through the open doorway, in the hopes of seeing the doctor
coming up the hill.
"Oh! how sad it would be if she were to die in her present heathen
state; when should she recover, she may have an opportunity of learning
the blessed truths of the gospel," thought Lucy. "How thankful I should
feel could I tell her of the love of Christ, and how He died for her
sake, and for that of all who accept the gracious offers of salvation
freely made to them. I must try, as soon as possible, to learn her
language, to be able to speak to her."
Such and similar thoughts occupied Lucy's mind for some time. At
length, turning round and looking through the open doorway, she saw
several natives coming up the hill. She recognised the first as
Waihoura's father. The party approached the hut, and stopped before the
entrance.
"Dear me, here comes some of those savage-looking natives," exclaimed
Mrs Greening. "What shall we say to them? I hope they are not come to
take the poor little girl away."
"I will try and make them understand that we have sent for the doctor,
and that if they wish her to recover, they must let her remain under his
charge," said Lucy, rising and going to the door. Though still feeling
somewhat nervous in the presence of the Maoris, her anxiety to benefit
Waihoura gave her courage, and she endeavoured, by signs, to make the
chief understand what she wished. She then led him to the bedside of
his daughter, who lay as unconscious as before. He stood for some time
gazing down at her, the working of his countenance showing his anxiety.
Lucy felt greatly relieved on hearing Toby's voice shouting out, "The
doctor's a-coming mother, I ran on before to tell you, and there's a
gentleman with him who knows how to talk to the savages."
In a short time the doctor arrived, accompanied by an Englishman of
middle age, with a remarkably intelligent and benignant expression of
countenance.
"Mr Marlow kindly agreed to come with me," said Dr Fraser. "He
understands the Maori language, and I shall now be able to communicate
with my patient, and to explain to her friends what is necessary to be
done to afford her a prospect of recovery."
"I am afraid she is very ill," said Lucy, as she led the doctor and Mr
Marlow into the hut. The latter addressed the young girl in a low
gentle voice. At first she paid no attention, but at length her eyes
brightened and her lips moved. Mr Marlow continued speaking, a smile
lighted up her countenance. She replied, and taking his hand, pressed
it to her lips.
"I thought so," he said, turning to Lucy, "we are old acquaintances.
When still a child, she was for a short time at my missionary school,
but her father resisted the truth, and took her away. Through God's
providence she may once more have an opportunity of hearing the message
of salvation. We must endeavour to persuade Ihaka, her father, to allow
her to remain. He loves his daughter, and though unconscious of the
value of her soul, for the sake of preserving her life, he may be
induced to follow our advice."
Dr Fraser, through Mr Marlow, put several questions to Waihoura, and
then administered some medicine he had brought, leaving a further
portion with Mrs Greening, to be given as he directed.
Mr Marlow then addressed Ihaka the chief, who seemed to listen to him
with great attention. He told him what the English doctor had said, and
urged him, as he loved his daughter, to leave her under his care. Ihaka
at first hesitated, unwilling to be separated from his child. Mr
Marlow pressed the point with great earnestness, and at length the chief
signified his readiness to comply with the doctor's advice.
"Tell him if he restores my daughter, I and my people will be friends to
him and the pakehas, for his sake, for ever," he said, pointing to Dr
Fraser.
"The life of your daughter, as well as that of all human beings, is in
the hands of the great God who rules this world, and allows not a
sparrow to fall to the ground without knowing it," answered Mr Marlow.
"The doctor is but His instrument, and can only exert the knowledge
which has been given him. To that loving God we will kneel in prayer,
and petition that she may be restored to health."
Saying this, Mr Marlow summoned the English lads; and Betsy, who had
hitherto kept at a distance, and kneeling on the ground, offered up an
earnest prayer to God, that if it was in accordance with His will, and
for the benefit of the young Maori girl, He would spare her life. All
present earnestly repeated the "Amen," with which he concluded his
prayer. The savages, during the time, stood round in respectful
silence; and, though not understanding the words uttered, were evidently
fully aware of the purpose of what had been said.
Ihaka once more entering the hut, Waihoura recognised him. Taking her
hand, he beckoned Lucy and Mrs Greening to approach, and placed it in
theirs, as if confiding her to their charge.
"Please, sir," said Mrs Greening to Mr Marlow, "tell the chief we will
do the best we can for his little girl. She is a sweet young creature,
and I little expected to find such among the savages out here."
"They have hearts and souls, my dear lady, as we have, and though their
colour is different to ours, God cares for them as He does for us."
The chief seemed content, and after again addressing the missionary, he
and his people took their departure.
"The savages are all going, mother," exclaimed little Tobias some time
afterwards, as he came puffing and blowing up the hill. "I could not
feel quite comfortable while they were near us, and I am glad that we
are rid of them."
"We should not judge from outside looks, Tobias," remarked Mrs
Greening. "As the good missionary said just now, they have hearts and
souls like ours, and I am sure that chief, fierce and savage as he
looks, loves his daughter as much as any English father can do."
Dr Fraser and Mr Marlow had before this returned to the town,
promising to come back in the evening to see how their patient was
getting on.
The consumption of firewood in the camp was considerable, as Mrs
Greening kept up a good fire in the open air for the cooking operations.
Harry and Tobias had brought in a supply in the morning, and Harry's
hands and clothes gave evidence how hard he had laboured.
"We shall want some more wood before morning," observed Mrs Greening,
turning to her sons.
"I am ready to go again," said Harry, "if James will stay in the camp."
"No; Master Harry, its my turn to go if you will stop behind," said
James.
"If you wish it I'll stay," replied Harry. "One of us ought to remain,
or strangers coming up to the camp might be troublesome, and I would not
permit that."
While James and Tobias set off with axes in their hands, and pieces of
rope to bind their faggots, Harry got his gun, and began to march up and
down on guard. He evidently considered himself like a sentinel in the
presence of an enemy. Now he looked on one side of the hill, now on the
other. No person could have entered the camp without receiving his
challenge.
He had thus been passing up and down for some time, when he caught
sight, in the distance, of some persons emerging from the forest.
"Here they come," he shouted out, "Papa and Valentine, Mr Greening and
Paul, and the two natives who went with them." He was examining them
with his spy-glass. "Yes, it's them, and they will soon be here. Pray
get supper ready, Mrs Greening; depend upon it they will be very hungry
after their long march."
Mrs Greening, aided by Betsy, at once got her pots and saucepans on the
fire.
Harry, though feeling much inclined to run down and meet the party,
restrained his eagerness. "A sentry must not quit his post," he said to
himself, "though no harm will happen, I'll keep to mine on principle."
In a short time Mr Pemberton, with his companions, appeared at the foot
of the hill. Lucy ran down to meet them, eager to welcome her father,
and to tell him about Waihoura.
"I am glad you can be of assistance to the young girl, and it is most
desirable that we should be able to show our friendly disposition
towards the natives," he observed.
"Oh, I do so hope she will recover," said Lucy. "But I am afraid that
some time must pass before she is well enough to be moved."
"That would decide me in a plan I propose," said Mr Pemberton.
"Greening and I have settled our ground, and I hope that we may be put
in possession of it in a day or two; we will then leave you here with
Harry and Tobias, while we go back and build our houses, and make
preparations for your reception."
Lucy had expected to set out as soon as the ground was chosen; but as
she could not hope that Waihoura would be in a fit state to be moved for
some time, she felt that the arrangement now proposed was the best.
Mr Pemberton and farmer Greening were highly pleased with the ground
they had selected.
"We propose to place our houses on the slope of a hill, which rises
within a quarter of a mile of the river," he observed. "Greening will
take one side and I the other. Our grounds extend from the river to the
hill, and a little way beyond it; when the high road is formed, which
will, from the nature of the country, pass close to our farm, we shall
have both land and water communication. Close also to the foot of the
hill, a village probably will be built, so that we shall have the
advantage of neighbours. Among other advantages, our land is but
slightly timbered, though sufficiently so to afford us an ample supply
of wood for building, and as much as we shall require for years to come
for fencing and fuel. From the spot I have chosen for our house, we
have a view over the country in this direction, so that, with our
telescope, we can distinguish the vessels, as they come into the
harbour, or pass along the coast."
"We shall have plenty of fishing too, Harry," exclaimed Valentine. "And
we may, if we go a little distance, fall in with wild boars and plenty
of birds, though there are none which we should call game in England."
"Oh! how I long to be there, and begin our settlers' life in earnest,"
said Harry. "I hope the little savage girl will soon get well enough to
move."
"I wish we could be with you also to help you in the work," said Lucy.
"How can you manage to cook without us?"
"Valentine and Paul have become excellent cooks, and though we shall
miss your society, we shall not starve," observed Mr Pemberton.
"Our camp life is a very pleasant one," remarked Valentine. "For my
part I shall be rather sorry when it is over, and we have to live inside
a house, and go to bed regularly at night."
This conversation took place while they were seated at supper on the
ground in front of the large tent. It was interrupted by the arrival of
Mr Fraser, accompanied by Mr Marlow, to see Waihoura.
"She is going on favourably," said the doctor, as he came out; "but she
requires great care, and I feel sure that had you not taken charge of
her, her life would have been lost. Now, however, I trust that she will
recover. Mr Marlow will let her father understand how much he is
indebted to you, as it is important that you should secure the
friendship a chief of his power and influence."
In two days Mr Pemberton and farmer Greening were ready to start for
their intended location. Each had purchased a strong horse, and these
were harnessed to a light dray, which Mr Pemberton had bought. It was
now loaded with all the articles they required, and sufficient
provisions and stores to last them till their cottages were put up, and
they could return for the rest of the party. By that time it was hoped
that the young Maori girl would be in a fit state to be moved.
"I will not let her, if I can help it, go back to her own people," said
Lucy. "She will become, I am sure, attached to us. I may be of use to
her, and she will teach me her language, and it will be interesting to
learn from her the habits and customs of the natives."
"Yes, indeed, it would be a pity to let the poor little girl turn again
into a savage," observed Mr Greening. "I can't fancy that their ways
are good ways, or suited to a Christian girl, and that I hope, as Miss
Lucy says, she will turn into before long."
It had been arranged that Lucy and Betsy should take up their abode in
the large tent, in which there was now sufficient room for their
accommodation, the small one being packed up for Mr Pemberton's use.
The dray being loaded, the farmer went to the horses' heads, and the
young men, with the two Maoris, going on either side to keep back the
wheels, it slowly descended the hill.
"We shall not make a very rapid journey," observed Valentine. "But we
shall be content if we come to the end of it in time without a break
down."
Harry felt very proud at being left in charge of the camp, and Tobias
promised that there should be no lack of firewood or water, while he
could cut the one, and draw the other from the sparkling stream which
ran at the foot of the hill.
"We shall do very well, never fear, sir," said Mrs Greening to Mr
Pemberton, "and as soon as you and my good man come back, we shall be
ready to start."
Just as her father had wished Lucy good-bye, Mr Spears, with a pack on
his back, and a stout stick in his hand, was observed coming up the
hill.
"Just in time, neighbour," he exclaimed, as he came up to Mr Pemberton.
"I found out, at the surveyor's office, where you had selected your
land, and I made up my mind at once to take a piece of ground close to
it. As I am all alone, I have only bought a few acres, but that will be
enough to build a house on, and to have a garden and paddock. With your
leave I'll accompany you. There are several more of our fellow
passengers who will select land on the same block when they hear that
you and I have settled on it, and we shall soon have, I hope, a pleasant
society about us. We shall all be able to help each other; that's the
principle I go on."
Mr Pemberton told Mr Spears that he was very willing to have him as a
companion on the journey, and that he was glad to hear that a settlement
was likely soon to be formed near him. He was well aware that the
differences of social rank could not be maintained in a new colony, and
he had made up his mind to be courteous and kind to all around him,
feeling assured that all the respect he could require would thus be paid
him by his neighbours. He at once gave a proof of his good intentions.
"Your pack is heavy, Mr Spears, and we can easily find room on our
waggon for it," he said, and taking off the pack, he secured it to the
vehicle which they had just then overtaken.
"Thank you, good sir, thank you," answered Mr Spears, as he walked
forward, with a jaunty elastic step, highly pleased at being relieved of
his somewhat heavy burden. "One good turn deserves another, and I hope
that I may have many opportunities of repaying it."
Mr Pemberton had promised Lucy to send over, from time to time, to let
her know what progress was made, and to obtain intelligence in return
from her. Notwithstanding this, she looked forward eagerly to the day
when he would come back to take her and the rest of the party to their
new abode. Though she did her best to find employment, the time would
have hung somewhat heavily on her hands had she not had Waihoura to
attend to.
The Maori girl, in a short time, so far recovered as to be able to sit
up and try to talk. She seemed as anxious to become acquainted with
English as Lucy was to learn her language. They both got on very
rapidly, for though Waihoura had some difficulty in pronouncing English
words, she seldom forgot the name of a thing when she had once learned
it. She would ask Lucy to say the word over and over again, then
pronouncing it after her. At the end of a week she could speak a good
many English sentences. Lucy made almost as rapid progress in Maori,
she having the advantage of several books to assist her, and at length
the two girls were in a limited degree able to exchange ideas.
No one in the camp, however, was idle. Harry, who always kept guard,
was busy from morning to night in manufacturing some article which he
thought likely to prove useful. Betsy either went with Tobias to cut
wood, or bring up water, or assist Mrs Greening, and frequently
accompanied her into the town when she went marketing; and sometimes
Tobias, when he was not wanted to cut wood, went with his mother.
One day he came back with the information that a vessel, which had come
to an anchor in the morning, had brought over from Australia several
head of cattle, and a large flock of sheep.
"I wish father were here, he would be down on the shore, and buying some
of them pretty quickly," he exclaimed.
"Could we not send to let him know," said Lucy. "Harry, I heard papa
say, too, that he wished to purchase a small flock of sheep as soon as
he could find any at a moderate price. I should so like to have charge
of them. I have always thought the life of a shepherd or shepherdess
the most delightful in the world."
Harry laughed. "I suspect when it began to rain hard, and your sheep
ran away and got lost in the mountains and woods, you would wish
yourself sewing quietly by the fireside at home, and your sheep at
Jericho," he exclaimed, continuing his laughter. "Still I should be
very glad if we could get the sheep, though I am afraid they will all be
sold before we can receive papa's answer."
While the conversation was going on, Dr Fraser arrived to see Waihoura.
Harry told him that he would very much like to send to his father to
give notice of the arrival of the sheep.
"Would you like to turn shepherd?" asked the doctor.
"I should like nothing better, for I could take my books with me, or
anything I had to make, and look after the sheep at the same time; it
would suit me better than Lucy, who has a fancy to turn shepherdess, and
have a crook, and wear a straw hat set on one side of her head,
surrounded with a garland, just as we see in pictures."
"I suspect Miss Lucy would find home duties more suited to her," said
the doctor; "but if you, Harry, will undertake to look after a small
flock of sheep, I think I may promise to put one under your charge, and
to give you a portion of the increase as payment. I was thinking of
buying a hundred sheep, but hesitated from not knowing any one I could
trust to to keep them. From what I have seen of you, I am sure you will
do your best; and as your father and farmer Greening will probably
purchase some more, they will run together till they are sufficiently
numerous to form separate flocks. If you will write a letter to your
father I will send a messenger off at once," said the doctor. "Indeed,
so certain am I that they would wish to purchase some, that I will, when
I go back, make an offer for a couple of hundred in addition to mine."
The next day the doctor told them that he had purchased the sheep as he
had proposed, and he brought a letter from Mr Pemberton thanking him
for doing so, and saying that they had made such good progress in their
work, that they hoped, in another week, to come back for the rest of the
party.
"I am rather puzzled to know what to do with the sheep in the meantime,"
said the doctor. "I cannot entrust them to natives, and there is not a
European in the place who has not his own affairs to look after. What
do you say, Harry, can you and Tobias take care of them?"
"I cannot quit my post," answered Harry, though he was longing to go and
see the sheep. "If they were sent up here, I could watch them, but I am
afraid they would not remain on the hill while there is better pasture
below."
"Tobias could take charge of them, sir," said Mrs Greening. "And if we
had our old dog `Rough,' I'll warrant not one would go astray."
"Rough," who had accompanied farmer Greening all the way from England,
had mysteriously disappeared the morning of their arrival; he could not
be found before they had quitted the ship, and they had since been
unable to discover him.
"That is curious," said the doctor; "for this morning, when I bought the
sheep, a man offered me a shepherd's dog for sale. I told him that
should he not in the meantime have found a purchaser, I would treat with
him in the evening after I had seen the dog. Should he prove to be
`Rough,' I will not fail to purchase him."
Tobias, on hearing this, was very eager to accompany Dr Fraser.
"The old dog will know me among a thousand, and the man will have a hard
job to hold him in," he observed, grinning from ear to ear.
The doctor, after he had seen Waihoura, told Lucy she need have no
further anxiety about her friend, who only required good food and care
completely to recover.
"I must get Mr Marlow to see her father, and persuade him to allow her
to remain with you, and he may assure him very truly that she will
probably fall ill again if she goes back again to her own people," he
said.